Area Development
SunSpark Technology, Inc., a company that manufactures and assembles solar panels, plans to establish its base of operations at the SolarMax complex in Riverside, California. The company plans to initially adding some 80 new jobs to the local economy.

SolarMax is providing 35,000 square feet of space within its 165,000 square-foot facility to accommodate SunSpark. The new company is expected to eventually bring more than 100 jobs to the local economy. According to company officials, co-location arrangement with SolarMax will not only produce operating efficiencies for both companies, but perhaps more importantly, help SunSpark leadership learn how to capitalize on the region’s unique strengths.

China-based SunSpark said it chose Riverside for its base of operations influenced in large part by the growth SolarMax achieved in the Inland Empire, as well as the area expanding educational and public infrastructure to support renewable energy companies. Another key factor: personal outreach efforts by Mayor Rusty Bailey and a consortium of business leaders, including SolarMax CEO David Hsu and Executive Vice President Ching Liu, to share the region’s interest in building business, educational and cultural exchanges with China.

“Having had the pleasure and opportunity to get to know this company, both personally and professionally, I couldn’t be more excited to help them learn and experience what makes our community special,” said Ms. Liu. They’re going to be a wonderful corporate neighbor and make significant economic and cultural contributions to this region.”

Mayor Bailey said, “With the cutting-edge renewable energy research & development programs underway at UC-Riverside, low-cost water and electricity from Riverside Public Utilities and, naturally, our abundance of sunshine, we have a great story to tell. Seeing a company like SunSpark choose to put its corporate roots down in Riverside tells me our message is resonating with business leaders overseas. We are thrilled to welcome them to our beautiful city and look forward to working with them and SolarMax to support their mutual growth.”